Simulations of European forests using PICUS v1.4 hybrid patch model

As part of the research project OptForEU (funded over Horizon Europe), we have prepared simulations using the forest growth simulator PICUS, used here in version 1.4. Outputs of the simulations are available as csv-files. The relevant meta-information is coded into the title of each csv-file.

We considered eight case study areas (CSA), up to twelve European forest types (EFT) per CSA, up to eight age classes (20-years) per EFT, and up to nine forest management practices, per EFT in a particular CSA. For details see deliverable D2.2 on "Report on new Forest Management Practices (FMP) in forest models and implications for land cover change parametrisation in climate models" https://optforeu.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OptFor-EU_D2.2_-Report-on-new-FMP-in-forest-models-and-implications-for-land-cover-change-parametrisation-in-climate-models.pdf

The CSAs were: CSA1 Norway, CSA2 Lithuania, CSA3 United Kingdom, CSA4 Germany, CSA5 Austria, CSA6 Romania, CSA7 Spain, CSA8 Italy

Each CSA is a region in the respective country and is limited by a shape file.

The age classes were: AC1 0-20 years, AC2 21-40 years, AC3 41-60 years, AC4 61-80 years, AC5 81-100 years, AC6 101-120 years, AC7 121-140 years, AC8 >141 years

The European forest types were (for details see D1.1 on "Gridded dataset of European Forest Types" https://optforeu.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OptFor-EU_D1.1_Gridded-Dataset-of-EFT_rda.pdf):

EFT1 boreal forests

EFT2 Hemiboreal and nemoral coniferous and mixed broadleaved-coniferous forest

EFT3 Alpine forests

EFT4 Acidophilus oak and oak-birch forest

EFT5 Mesophytic deciduous forest

EFT6 Beech forests

EFT7 Mountainous beech forest

EFT8 Thermophilous deciduous forest

EFT9 Broadleaved evergreen forest

EFT10 Coniferous forest of the Mediterranean, Anatolian and Macaronesian regions

EFT11 Mirne and swamp forest

EFT12 Floodplain forest

Note that not all EFTs were simulated in all CSAs. EFT67 represent both EFT6 and EFT7, EFT2a is a variant of EFT2

The initial forest stand conditions were created using local forest data. The climate input data was sourced from EURO-CORDEX generation CMIP5/6 downscaling experiments, based on two regional climate models, RACMO22E HADGEM2ES and HIRHAM5 HADGEM2ES. The used Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs and SSPs) were 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5.

The forest management practices (FM) differed between CSAs and were derived using input by local stakeholders, for details see D2.1 on "Forest Management Practices and their relevance in case study areas" https://optforeu.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/OptFor-EU_D2.1_FMP-and-their-relevance-in-CSA.pdf

FM0 no management, FM1 clearcut, FM2 shelterwood, FM3 continuous cover management using single tree harvesting, FM4 continuous harvesting at low intensity, FM5 clearcut more intensive, FM6 clearcut less intensive, FM7 shelterwood more intensive, FM8 shelterwood less intensive, FM9 coppice management.

Each csv-file contains as columns selected Essential Forest Mitigation Indicators (EFMI), for details see D1.2 on "Essential Forest Mitigation Indicators" https://optforeu.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OptFor-EU_D1.2_-EFMIs-_v02_20250314_BOKU.pdf